As we approach Atlasov (also spelt Atlasova or in Japanese Araido), from over the horizon you will be greeted by the 2,339 metre peak of the volcano Alaid, claimed to be more exquisitely shaped than Mount Fuji, it is the highest peak in the Kuril chain. Viewed from satellite photography, its shape is perfectly sculptured. Abandoned soviet era buildings including a women’s prison can be found behind the dunes, near lakes which are heaving with green-snapper, surrounded by scrubland and hills of volcanic ash. Keep an eye out for Asian Rosy-Finches, peregrines and Slatey-backed Gulls. As with all destinations in the Russian Far East the actual weather and conditions on the day will dictate the exact location visited and the activities undertaken.

Included Expedition
Today we will explore the remains of the one time Soviet occupation of Atlasov. The island had previosuly been used as a fox farm and a womens prison and a large concrete light house still stands on the island today. Various walks on the island will be offered.

Busan, South Korea, is located on the South easternmost tip of the Korean Peninsula, and faces the Korea Strait. In the 15th century, the Korean government designated Busan to be a trading port with the Japanese. Busan is now the fifth busiest seaport in the world. Some of the restaurants in this district are locally famous, with family recipes passed down the generations. Jagalchi Market is an area of narrow street stalls and is well known for its fish market. Nearby crowded Haeundae beach has to be seen to be believed as thousands of beach goers flock here every day in summer.

Included Expeditions
A shuttle bus from the port to the central shopping area and fish markets will be available all day in Busan as well as an included expedition visiting several local attractions. The inclusive tour will visit Tongdosa Temple, a colourful Korean Buddhist temple where we can participate in a Korean tea ceremony with the Monks. We will briefly stop at Haeundae beach to witness the spectacle of colour and sound as thousands of Koreans pack themselves onto the beach strip. We then progress to the UN Memorial Cemetery to pay our respects to those who served and lost their lives during the Korean War. As no visit to Busan is complete without a visit to the Jalgachi Fish Market, arguably the best of its kind in the world, where every kind of edible sea creature is on sale, the inclusive tour will also visit here. (Guests will be split into different groups to participate in the included activities at different time throughout the day)

Chirpoy (meaning small bird) is the collective name usually given to the twin volcanic islands of Chirpoy and Brat Chirpoev (Russian for Chirpoy's Brother). Here volcanic activity will sharpen your senses. Chirpoy Island is still developing. Witness a new volcano forming in the centre of the island. Orion II will try to access the large bay near the newer volcano. At Brat Chirpoev, under the supervision of a Russian Fish and Wildlife ranger, we plan a Zodiac cruise just offshore to view a Steller sea lion rookery. Steller sea lions are the world’s largest sea lions, growing as large as 5.5m long and weigh as much as 1000kg. As with all destinations in the Russian Far East the actual weather and conditions on the day will dictate the exact location visited and the activities undertaken.

Included Expedition
Today we will explore the volcanic coastlines by Zodiac and observe the breeding haul out of Steller's sea lions. Weather and conditions permitting we may be able to make an expedition landing today to explore the black sand beaches and green lava strewn plateaus of Chirpoy.

Recently the feature of a major National Geographic expedition, Coron is one of the world’s true undiscovered paradises. Steep cliffs descend down into incredibly blue water, and the local indigenous people guard this area with pride, hanging onto their culture and winning a national court case in the Philippines to gain native title of the area. The local people have strict guidelines for all access and development in the area and access to all sites can only be gained through cooperation with the indigenous owners, the Tagbanua people.

Orion II will enter into the spectacular bay between the larger Busuanga Island and Coron Island proper and anchor close to Atiwayan Beach.

Later in the day Orion II will reposition further into the bay, and guests are invited to take to the Zodiacs to view the sunset, an absolute must-see amongst the islands and cliffs of Coron. As the twilight fades, soak away the day’s adventures in the local hot springs, accessible via our Zodiacs.

We will overnight on the ship anchored in spectacular surrounds, and before departing the next morning, Orion II guests will have the opportunity to visit the small township of Coron, on the island of Busuanga.

Included Expeditions
Throughout the day Orion II guests will have access to Atiwayan beach and the nearby reef for snorkelling and swimming. Through arrangements with the locals we will have exclusive access to this beach for the duration of our visit. Just off the beach a floating pontoon marks a spectacular reef system available for guests to snorkel.

The local Tagbanua people will present cultural displays on the beach when you arrive. They will display their traditional dance and demonstrate the method for extracting edible birds’ nests by scaling the vertical cliffs barefoot. A scenic Zodiac cruise to the twin lakes will also be available today. The scenery is absolutely spectacular and presents great opportunities for photography.

Later in the day, included for all is the Zodiac expedition to view the picturesque sunset that melts into the bay and an opportunity to visit the local natural hot springs.

The following morning before departure, Zodiac transfers will be available to the township of Coron for a guided walk through the markets, or independent exploration of the area.

Optional Shoreside Expeditions
These optional expeditions will clash with the included activities today and only one optional expedition can be selected.

CORON EXPLORER
The local Tagbanua people operate a tourism cooperative designed to bring income and skills to the local people. This tour allows guests to contribute to the community and their goals of managing their own destiny through tourism. Using local boats, run by local guides you will visit Kagayan Lake, which is accessed by a reasonable 20-30 minute walk into the interior of Coron Island.

Orion II guests are invited to take a refreshing dip in the lake and enjoy the spectacular views back over the bay. A cave once used for the edible birds nest collection is also visible on the walk to and from the lake. You will proceed to Lajala Village, home to many master boat-makers, and have an opportunity to see the boat makers at work and also visit the local school. In addition, there will be a cultural performance in the village included in this experience.

Cost: To be confirmed
Duration: 3-4 hours

CORON SCUBA DIVE
For certified scuba divers, Coron offers many opportunities. In conjunction with a local dive company we will be able to offer a two-dive package during our visit to Coron.

The reefs are spectacular and many wrecks from World War II are scattered around the area. Actual dive sites will depend on local conditions on the day. This experience is only available to certified divers and the dives are provided by local operators.

Cost: To be confirmed
Duration: Half Day

Hiroshima is an intensely resilient city. Having suffered in recent history from atomic bomb destruction and severe typhoons, Hiroshima is now the centre for international peace representations and a major automotive industry. During the 1870’s Hiroshima had one of only seven English-speaking schools in Japan. Hiroshima also recently made it onto Lonely Planet’s list of the top cities in the world, with commuting times ranking amongst the shortest in Japan, and the cost of living lower than the other large cities.

Included Expeditions
Our visit to Hiroshima revolves around the Peace Park, Peace Museum and the A-Bomb Dome. The Peace Park, and the A-Bomb dome (being one of the only buildings to survive the horrific blast), stand in peaceful contrast to the images displayed inside the museum.

No visit to Japan is truly complete without visiting the Peace Museum, which is quite an emotional experience for most. The Atomic detonation at Hiroshima forever changed the psyche of the Japanese people and the history of the entire world. One of the few remaining survivors of the actual bombing will talk to us about their personal experiences that day and their life since the bombing in Hiroshima (the lecture will be translated into English).

With a population of around 2000, and infrastructure limited to a single coastal road linking the various townships and hamlets, Iriomote is one of the smaller islands in the Ryukyu chain. Without an airstrip, visitors would normally arrive via ferry from nearby Ishigaki, which has a much larger population and major infrastructure and resorts. The majority of the island is covered by thick forests and mangroves and with an average yearly temperature of 23.5 degrees it is considered to be a tropical rainforest climate. The island is home to a unique nocturnal species of wild cat; the Iriomote Cat, whose population has been severely impacted upon by humans, even with the limited development that exists on Iriomote.

We will anchor in a semi-protected bay and use our Zodiacs to land directly on one of Iriomote’s beautiful white sand beaches. Here you can dive straight into the almost tropical waters or explore the coastline at your leisure.

An included shuttle service to nearby Star Beach, which offers snorkelling on the fringing reef, will be available throughout our visit, or join one of our included or optional expeditions to further explore this unique island.

Included Expedition
Our included expedition today will take Orion II guests on a tour of the local wetlands. Boarding large, comfortable river boats with local guides you will travel upstream through mangroves and rainforest observing the local flora and there is also the potential for sighting birds. In the upper reaches of the river you can undertake a short forest walk to a small waterfall, before rejoining the river boats.

Optional Shoreside Expedition
This optional tour will clash with the included activities today.
YUBAJIMA BUFFALO TAXI & BOTANIC GARDENS
For a different experience compared to the included river boat journey today, consider this optional tour to the eastern side of Iriomote.

After traversing the island by coach Orion II guests will arrive at a small village which acts as the launching point for Iriomote’s famous Buffalo Taxis. Yubajima is a small island separated from Iriomote’s east coast by a narrow tidal flat. Small carts led by water buffalo will carry you across the tidal flat, through the shallow water to the island on the other side. Your driver will sing for you as you cross the water, whilst playing a traditional Ryukyu stringed instrument.

On Yubajima you will have a chance to explore the local Botanical Gardens, which with the tropical climate of the Ryukyus houses many species one would normally associate with Japan. Butterflies, dependant on the season, can be abundant in the gardens as well.

Cost: To be confirmed onboard
Duration: Half Day

On the south western tip of Kyushu we find the city of Kagoshima. Dominating the harbour upon our arrival is the stratovolcano Sakurajima. This volcano is located in the Aira caldera, which was formed in an enormous eruption 22,000 years ago. Sakurajima itself is believed to have formed around 13,000 years ago. The 1914 eruption of Sakurajima linked the volcano to the mainland, as it is today. The volcano is still active with regular plumes of ash rising from the cone.

Kagoshima has a long proud Samarai history and the port has played a significant role throughout. It is said that Kagoshima was the birth place of the Japanese Industrial revolution. During the Edo Period (1603-1867) it was forbidden for Japanese citizens to travel abroad, however several young men from this region were believed to have travelled to England and the United States, returning to share their insights into western science and technology, and giving a kick start to the industrial revolution that followed.

Included Expeditions
Orion II guests will begin the day by boarding coaches and crossing the harbour by ferry to visit the observation area for the Sakurajima Volcano. After viewing Sakurajima you will proceed to an unusual feature of the area, the Sakurajima Nagisa Foot Bath Park. With great views of the caldera-harbour, you can soak your feet in the geothermally-heated water running through hundreds of metres of foot baths in the ultimate natural foot spa.

You will visit the Senganen Japanese Garden and one time home of the Shimadzu family, feudal lords of this domain, where you will be met by Edo Period Samurai re-enactors. Continuing further a field visit the former Samurai residences of Chiran, where the streets are lined with ponds full of Japanese Koi Carp and finally onto the Chiran Peace Park, documenting the history of the infamous Kamikaze pilots of World War II.

Optional Shoreside Expedition
IBUSUKI ART & CULTURE EXPERIENCE
This optional tour may clash with some of the included activities.

Available as an optional tour today is a very special experience combining several unique features of Japanese culture. This tour visits a private art gallery in Ibusuki known as the Satsuma Denshokan, located in Hakusuikan Ryokan (a ryokan is a traditional Japanese style accommodation house usually incorporating natural hot springs). You'd expect to find a private gallery of this class in a large city like Tokyo, but thanks to the ryokan's owners who have spent the last 60 years amassing this amazing 3,000-piece collection, you will find the gallery at home in this small resort area. An award-winning, architecturally-designed, Kyoto-style building set within a reflective pond, displays 380 pieces on a rotating basis, including artefacts dating from the Meiji Restoration. Satsuma ceramics were created especially for export and made popular by the 1867 Paris Exposition, the owners of the gallery have made it their mission to scour the world purchasing the exported Satsuma and return them to Japan, housed in their gallery. The gallery also houses Chinese ceramics and porcelain spanning over 8 centuries, including rare finds with Imperial stamps. In addition to the art experience you will also have the opportunity to bathe in a traditional onsen (hot spring fed baths) and try a traditional sand bath in the volcanically heated sands.

Note – traditional onsens require participants to be clothing free, towels and robes are provided for your modesty whilst moving in and out of the baths. Separate bathing areas are provided for males and females.

Price: To be confirmed onboard
Duration: Half Day

Kanazawa, “marsh of gold”: the name derived from the legend of a peasant who washed gold dust from potatoes into a well. The city is famous for silk-making and tea with flakes of gold leaf which is considered by the Japanese people to be good for health and vitality. Gold leaf plays a prominent part in the city’s cultural crafts and today even soft serve ice cream is served with flecks of gold leaf throughout. The sensational Kenrokuen Garden was originally built as the outer garden of Ishikawa Castle, and considered one of the “three most beautiful gardens in Japan.” Kanazawa has a 100 year old former geisha house, retaining the look and feel of 19th century Japan. Kanazawa is one of the few places where the geisha culture is still alive in Japan.

Included Expeditions
Explore the traditional Geisha area and take part in a geisha experience in Kanazawa today. Also included is the opportunity to visit the extensive Kenrokuen Gardens and take part in a traditional tea ceremony.

Kenrokuen is an old private garden developed between the 1620s to 1840s by the Maeda clan who ruled the former Kaga Domain. Local volunteer guides will show us through Kanazawa's traditional Samurai residences today as well. (Guests will be split into different groups to participate in the included activities at different times throughout the day)

Optional Expeditions
GOBAN BENTO LUNCH
An option is available to purchase a traditional Kanazawa style Goban Bento style lunched served in an elaborate tiered wooden box. Transfers to/from the hotel are included.
Price: To be confirmed

INTERACTIVE KANAZAWA CULTURE
An option is available to take part in a class teaching the traditional techniques of decorating with Gold Leaf. A follow on class teaches you how to make traditional Japanese sweets. From there the tour includes a visit to a centuries old family pottery kiln and workshop, and finally to the Kimono Museum where as well as an elaborate array of Kimonos you can participate in applying the artwork to silk in the traditional style. English speaking guides will accompany the tour. (This tour will preclude you from participating in some of the inclusive)
Price: To be confirmed

Korsakov is the main port for the Russian island of Sakhalin and serves as our official entry or exit port when coming and going from the Russian Far East . Just beyond the port is the town of Yuzhno – Sakhalinsk, with a population of 180,000 it is where the majority of people on Sakhalin live. Today Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is a modern city with a well developed economy and with a high level of social, political and cultural life although the city does reflect the Soviet era still, with rows of drab shops, so typical of that time period.

Included Expedition
A tour of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and the surrounding area are included in today’s visit to Sakhalin. We will visit several highlights of the town including the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Resurrection and Sakhalin's regional museum. The museum will allow us an insight to the history, natural history and even the geology of the area. At the cathedral we will have the opportunity to hear a Russian Choir perform. We will also visit a city park where a special cultural performance, including Cossack dancing, will be held in our honour.

On Matua (also Matya or Matsuwa in Japanese), a different story, an abandoned Russian air base – bunkers, half-tracks, an anti-aircraft gun, rotting bacteriological-and-chemical-warfare suits, the occasional helmet, and a mound of "cooked" ammunition lay abandoned and rotting away. With a central volcano reminiscent of Japan's Mount Fuji and black volcanic sand beaches provide a contrasting setting for the abandoned airbase and it rusting piles of metal and general scatterings of decaying equipment. As with all destinations in the Russian Far East the actual weather and conditions on the day will dictate the exact location visited and the activities undertaken.

Included Expedition
After a wet landing on a black sand beach, we will make our way inland to explore the abandoned Soviet airbase. The airbase, abandoned since the collapse of the Soviet Union, was previously a significant Japanese Military base during World War II. Join our expert team as you explore, or feel free to explore independently. Zodiac cruises to observe the significant bird life, harbour seals and the geological formations are also possible.

Itsukushima is the correct name for the island essentially known by all as Miyajima (Shrine Island), which is sacred within both Shintoism and Buddhism. It is one of the most revered locations for Japanese people and is a popular place for weddings. Orion II will slowly approach the island and its holy mountain of Misen San from across an unusually misty sea.

The large vermillion-coloured O-Torii that symbolises the entrance gate to the shrine is one of the most recognisable images of Japan. Torii (literally "bird perch") are traditional Japanese gates most commonly found at the entrance of, or within, a Shinto shrine marking the transition from the sacred to the profane. The sprawling Itsukushima shrine appears to float on the water during high tides. Several other shrines and temples are dotted around the island. There is also a great shopping district beside the main shrine. Oysters are a favourite product of Miyajima and vendors sell freshly-shucked oysters up and down the main street. Sika Deer wander freely, not only through the forested areas but also throughout the town and the grounds surrounding the shrine. Please note, the visit to Miyajima will usually try to be timed on the high tide so may be either morning or afternoon.

Included Expeditions
The Itsukushima shrine, its grand Torri gate and the general town area are accessed on foot after a short walk from the Zodiac landing beach. It is in the Itsukushima shrine, listed by UNESCO as World Heritage area, where our local guides will explain to us the significance of this location.

After your time in the main shrine Orion II guests can take a guided hike through the forested area of Miyajima, explore more of the temples and shrines, or wander through the main street with its shopping and eating establishments.

Please note, the order in which we visit Hiroshima and Miyajima today is tide dependant.

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE RECENT TRAGIC EVENTS IN JAPAN, IT IS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE TO UNDERTAKE THE SACRED KAGURA DANCE AND MUSIC PERFORMANCE IN THE SHRINE AT MIYAJIMA AS PREVIOUSLY PLANNED. WE ARE WORKING TO HOLD THIS EVENT ONBOARD THE SHIP AS AN ALTERNATIVE. WE APOLOGISE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY PRESENT.

Nagasaki City makes up almost half of the total land area of the prefecture of the same name. The prefecture also consists of 971 islands. It has the dubious honour of being the site of the second atomic bomb explosion, after Hiroshima. The Nagasaki Peace Park has been established beside Ground Zero to remind the world of the horrors of atomic weapons and to encourage future peace.

Nagasaki has had a long history of European contact with missionaries arriving as early as 1542. St Francis Xavier is believed to have visited the area in 1549. As such it is essentially the centre of Japanese Christianity; the Ouru Church of 26 Japanese martyrs (built by the French in 1864) commemorates the killing of 26 missionaries in 1596 by the Shogun of the time. Portuguese and later Dutch and British traders have also had a long history in Nagasaki.

Included Expeditions
Today we will use the local street cars to transport us to the Nagasaki Peace Park and Ground Zero and also to Dejima, a designated Japanese history site. During Japan's self-imposed period of isolation, Dejima was created as a man made island to "contain" Portuguese traders in 1634. From 1641 to 1851 it became a Dutch trading base up until the point it was integrated into the rest of the city as the isolationist period came to an end.

Today we also visit Glover Garden, the one time home of Thomas Glover, a Scottish business man who helped to establish ship building and other industries in Nagasaki, and to the Ouru Catholic Church of the 26 Martyrs.

A complimentary shuttle into the city area will also be available today. Please note, Orion II guests will be split into different groups to participate in the included activities at different times throughout the day.

Optional Shoreside Expedition
UNZEN PARK & SHIMABARA EXPLORER
Orion II guests will drive inland from Nagasaki through the mountains to Unzen National Park, stopping along the way at a roadside "station" famous for Castella Portuguese sponge cakes, introduced by the first European contact.

The Unzen National Park has numerous walking trails through the hot spring areas. Further on you will reach Shimabara and its castle dating back to the 1600's. The Samurai residences of Shimabara, which will also be visited, have waterways filled with colourful Koi Carp.

This tour includes a Japanese lunch at a local hotel. English speaking guides will accompany the tour. Please note this tour will preclude you from undertaking the inclusive experiences today.

Price: $225 per person including lunch
Duration: Full Day

Today we will berth in Naha, the main port for Okinawa, the largest island in the Ryukyu Island chain. The Ryukyu Islands stretch from Kyushu, down to the South West to within 120 kilometres off Taiwan. The Ryukyus formed part of an independent kingdom through until the 14th century when they came under the control of China’s Ming Dynasty. By the 17th-century, Japanese samurai invaded the islands under the leadership of the feudal lord of the Japanese province of Satsuma, finding little resistance from within the Ryukyus. A unique system of paying tribute to both the Japanese and Chinese Emperors then existed until the 19th century, when the Japanese Meiji Government fully annexed the Ryukyus, terminating ties with China and forcibly relocating the Ryukyu King to Tokyo.

Okinawa, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands, was the site of significant ground warfare during the Battle of Okinawa during World War II. American troops fought a long and bloody battle to capture Okinawa, so it could next be used as the major stepping stone for the planned invasion of Japan. The 82-day-long battle saw losses of over 100,000 Japanese troops and over 12,000 US troops. Significantly, somewhere between 42,000 and 150,000 Okinawan civilians - approximately one quarter of the civilian population - were also killed. Okinawa remained under direct US military control from the end of the war right up until 1972. Several significant US military bases remain on Okinawa today, the future of which is subject to significant debate today between the US and Japanese governments.

A shuttle will be available to the main town area of Naha today for independent exploration and shopping or you can join our included expedition that will explore several areas of interest in the region.

Included Expeditions
Today Orion II guests are invited to visit the former Japanese Imperial Navy HQ on Okinawa, and traverse the underground tunnel system linking the command bunkers that controlled the Japanese forces during the Battle of Okinawa. As the US forces overcame the Japanese resistance, the Japanese commanders ended their own lives by detonating a grenade within their control room in the bunker. The nearby peace memorial with its eternal flame are a reminder of all those who lost their lives in the battle and of the overall futility of war.

The significant Shuri Castle had many links to the unique system of paying tribute to both the Japanese and Chinese emperors. The colour alone, being red, is in contrast to the traditional Japanese Vermillion colour, red being much more closely associated to the Chinese kingdoms. Local guides will escort us through the fascinating passageways and grand rooms of the castle.

We will finish our exploration of the area today with a walk through the Gangala Valley. A well-formed path takes us through a semi-collapsed cave system, surrounded by forests featuring giant Banyan trees. Within the valley is the site of a pre-historic settlement estimated to date some 18,000 years back. Excavations still continue here. Human skeletal remains and tools uncovered on the site to date are thought to be from the oldest inhabitants of Okinawa, which may also potentially be some of the oldest in all Asia. Some researchers argue that these remains come from ancestors of the people of Japan in the Jomon period (14,000 to 4,000 BCE).

Good weather will unveil spectacular views of the four active volcanoes, a massive harbour, and one of the oldest towns in the Russian Far East. The explorer, Vitus Bering, laid the first foundation stone there in 1740, and later, Captain Charles Clerke, Captain Cook’s successor, was buried there. This is the crossroads of the continents and it was the jumping off point for both of Bering’s expeditions. Petropavlovsk is still home to a Russian submarine base. Weather permitting, an optional helicopter flight can be purchased to target the Valley of the Geysers, the second biggest collection of geothermal features after Yellowstone. For those who can, it is worth it.

Included Expedition
After entry procedures into Russia we will receive a traditional welcome ceremony with bread and salt with two “official welcoming” locals in traditional Russian costumes: a girl in a beautifully decorated traditional dress with bread and salt welcoming the guests and a boy in traditional Russian clothes playing the Russian folk musical instrument known as a bayan. We will then set out to explore this intriguing city on Siberia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.

We will travel by coach to the Siberian Dog Sled Kennel and Lodge, here you will be introduced to Siberian, Kamchatka and Alaskan Huskies, learn about the local Dog Sled Foundation and take a walk through the woods surrounding the lodge. A traditional Russian lunch will be served and a traditional Koryak dance will be performed.

After lunch we will visit such sites as the local market, perfect for your caviar purchases, the museum, for some local history and the Russian Orthodox Church which is open 24 hours a day and welcomes foreign visitors.

This full day experience will introduce you to the best of Petropavlovsk.

Optional Tour
VALLEY OF THE GEYSERS
Orion offers you a unique chance to visit the Valley of the Geysers nature reserve by helicopter. This unforgettable experience begins with an hour and a half helicopter ride where you swoop through the Kamchatka landscape for an eagle-eyed view of the snow-covered tundra, and the steep-sided canyons. The view of Karymsky Volcano is a showstopper.

Upon landing, we stroll on boardwalks through a landscape of geysers as they roar skyward with billowing plumes of superheated water and sizzling steam. You will have the time to explore the Geysers extensively, or just by doing a slow walk along the boardwalk.

Each of the geysers is exceptional and unique. Each of them has its own name and character. Velican erupts thirty tons of water per one minute up to nine-storey house height, while Troinoi (Triple) pulsates from three holes simultaneously; The submerged Bolshoi creates a unique water cascade from a huge gryphon-like cavity, while Pervenets (Firstborn) throws a boiling jet from under a stone block directly into the river. Sakharny (Sugar) pulsates upwards with a crown sparkling in the sunshine, and Fontan (Fountain) creates a narrow “milky” jet. Leshiy (Sylvan) groans in semi-underwater condition, Khrustalny (Crystal) glitters.

Most often you are able to watch eruptions of the spring Malakhitovy Grot (Malachite Grotto), the spring Averi, Geyser Novy Fontan (New Fountain), Geyser Fontan (Fountain), Geyser Nepostoyanny (Unsteady), Geyser Dvoinoy (Double). There is an opportunity to watch eruptions of such Geysers as Shchel (Slot), Velikan (Giant), Zhemchuzhny (Pearly) though the cycle of these geysers is longer and eruptions happen less frequently – Shchel (every 30 min.), Giant (every 4-10 hours), Pearly (every 4-5 hours) while Grot (Grotto) keeps silent for years in order to once cave tens of thousands of turbid water from the slope to the river.

The spectacle of fountain geysers is supplemented by more than two hundred pulsating hot and steaming springs, steam and gas jets, bowls with red boiling clay, steaming cavities whooping like owls, hot and warm lakes and brooks with waterfalls. Lunch will be served on board the helicopter or in the Valley depending on the weather conditions and safety precautions. The Valley of the Geysers has some steep stairways, but also has several easy accessible boardwalks and observation posts.

PLEASE NOTE: Since the tour is very weather dependent, the decision to fly can only be made once the weather forecast has been received from the Petropavlovsk air traffic control. No option is suggested in case of tour cancellation due to weather conditions. The last possibility to fly on this excursion is at 12:00. A weatherproof jacket, sturdy shoes, a hat and sunglasses are absolutely necessary.

Price: $1000

Mindoro is the seventh largest island in the Philippines, sitting just off the south western tip of Luzon. The island is largely dependant on agriculture although tourism is starting to offer lucrative opportunities for growth.

Puerto Galera is at the northern end of Mindoro and is regularly cited as having one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Whilst well and truly on the “tourist map” the small township remains sleepy and friendly and the beaches scattered in pockets around the bay provide great access for swimming and snorkelling.

Included Expeditions
Today for the duration of our visit our Zodiac fleet will be available to shuttle you to one of Puerto Galera’s beautiful white sand beaches for swimming and snorkelling.

Alternatively, Orion II guests can embark one of the Zodiacs going to the small waterfront township and visit the coffee shops or enjoy a cold San Miguel Pilsener from one of the small local bars.

Sakai Ko is the port in Miho Bay, serving the city of Sakaiminato and further into Shimane prefecture. Sakaiminato, once known as the land of gods, is now a mixture of new city, lush mountainous parks, quaint harbours and shrines. A great example of Japanese pop-culture, Sakaiminato has over 100 bronze statues dedicated to cartoon characters from a long running Japanese animated cartoon series Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro, the author of which is one of the city's "favourite" sons. Further west is Matsue City’s Matsue Castle, the city’s best known symbol, built as a working fortress-watchtower in the 17th century. Lafcadio Hearn in his writings described the beauty of his home and Lake Shinji. Lafcadio Hearn was oddly of Greek, Irish parentage, and best known for his books about Japan, his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories.

Included Expeditions
The Adachi Museum of Art holds a stunning array of Japanese art covering many eras and is also to home to one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, regularly voted as the best in Japan. Travelling further west we will take a boat ride on the moat surrounding the imposing Matsue Castle. We will also visit the house of the writer Lafcadio Hearn. Back closer to the port we can get a feel for Japan's love of it's animated characters with a walk along the main street of Sakaiminato with hundreds of bronze statues depicting the "monsters" of the Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro animated cartoon series. Finish with a visit to Sakai's Sake brewery for some sampling of their fine product. (Guests will be split into different groups to participate in the included activities at different times throughout the day)

We will use the port of San Fernando in Northern Luzon, the Philippines, purely as the access point to Baguio situated in the mountains of Luzon.

In the central mountains of Northern Luzon, 1500 metres above sea level sits the city of Baguio. The city has long been considered as a place to get away from the heat and humidity of the lower regions and in particular the city of Manila. During the period of American administration of the Philippine Islands, the American Governor General had his summer residence in Baguio and it was considered the summer capital at that time. American forces based in the Philippines up until the 1990’s used the Baguio region as a rest and recreation area. The former US base areas have today been developed into resort and function facilities, large golf courses, and high class shopping areas to add to the attractions for local visitors. Baguio City itself has become large and crowded like many parts of the Philippines, but still serves as a gateway to the culture of the mountain tribes of Luzon.

Included Expedition
Today Orion II guests will travel by coach from the port of San Fernando to the mountain top hideaway of Luzon. After a comfort stop at Camp John Hay the former US military base now an exclusive resort, we will explore the surrounds of the city. “The Mansion” is the second official residence of the Philippines President, and although access is restricted you can see the outside of the Mansion and its surrounding gardens.

You will visit Mines View Park which boasts an extensive view into the valleys below and gives you an opportunity to visit some local markets.

Lunch will consist of a Filipino-style banquet at Camp John Hay, and will include traditional cultural performances from local hill tribes.

After lunch Orion II guests will visit the BenCab Museum, home to a vast array of traditional and contemporary art from the region and also Tam-awan Village, which replicates traditional building styles and gardens of the hill tribes of Luzon, before returning to the port and your awaiting ship.

Shimonoseki sits on the scenic Kanmon Strait, on the tip of the island of Honshu, only a short distance from Kyushu. In fact the nearest city to Shimonoseki is Kitakyushu across the strait on Kyushu. The two cities are linked by an undersea pedestrian tunnel. This strategic location on the Kanmon Strait has seen Shimonoseki take a leading role in many battles throughout history. Today the port is a major gateway to and from Japan particularly for cargo traffic coming in and out of South Korea and Japan.

Shimonoseki is most well known today as the home of Fugu, the infamous Japanese Blowfish, edible only when the highly toxic parts have been removed by extremely skilled chefs who have trained for years in the art of Fugu preparation. Our included activities today will give you a great insight into Fugu cuisine in Japan.

From our berth in Shimonoseki, you will find it quite easy to access the township, and even the undersea pedestrian tunnel which opens on the Kyushu side in an area known as “Moji Retro Town”, an attractive shopping area with coffee shops and cafes, our you can join our included expedition to explore the local area.

Included Expedition
For Orion II guests joining our included expedition today we will begin a short distance from our berth at the Shimonoseki Fish Markets. Whilst many varieties of seafood are traded at the markets, it’s Fugu that is the most famous. From the market you will progress to one of the major Fugu traders where you will learn more about the process of preparing the fish for consumption, and where you will learn the basic skills of the fine art of preparing Fugu sashimi. Fugu sashimi is traditionally ultra thin and whilst you will have the opportunity to try your skills, you will all no doubt appreciate the years of training that goes into producing a true Fugu master chef.

Guests will then explore the dramatic Shuhodo cave system, the largest limestone cave system in Japan. The caves complete with flowing underground rivers are easy to explore with wide, structured paths and guiding handrails and stairways, making this experience accessible to most. The dramatic limestone structures underground are enhanced with additional lighting to improve your viewing experience and several of the limestone features have been given names based on the forms they resemble.

Optional Shoreside Expedition
FABULOUS FUGU FEAST
To complete your Fugu experience in Shimonoseki you may purchase the additional Fabulous Fugu Feast! This lunch package at Shimonoseki’s leading Fugu school includes Fugu Sashimi, Fugu Shabu-Shabu style, Fugu Jelly, Fried Fugu all washed down with unique warmed Fugu Sake! This add-on fits within the inclusive tour program so all activities may be undertaken if desired.

Price: To be confirmed onboard
Duration: Lunch (add-on after tour)

Shumshu is the northernmost of the Kuril Islands. The Japanese and the Russians were still fighting each other on Shumshu as late as October 1945, three months after the official end of hostilities. There are some WWII pillboxes remaining today along the shoreline, but the main reason for our visit is the wildlife. Hundreds of sea-otters, in the kelp beds just offshore make fabulous viewing from our Zodiacs, which will get you close to the otters as they go about their daily business. As an interesting side note, the beaches of Shumshu are littered with glass fishing floats, used by the Japanese to float their fishing nets in the days before plastic floats became the norm. As with all destinations in the Russian Far East the actual weather and conditions on the day will dictate the exact location visited and the activities undertaken.

Included Expedition
Zodiac cruises to observe the rafts of sea otters will be on offer as well as landings to explore the coast and wetlands of the island itself.

Skaly Lavushky is a small gathering of rocky islets home to many northern fur seals and Stellar sea lions. Red-necked phalaropes, fulmars, puffins, and cormorants are also common in this mini-archipelago. A caucophnous rant of seabirds, seals and sea lions will be the sound track to our Zodiac cruising today. As with all destinations in the Russian Far East the actual weather and conditions on the day will dictate the exact location visited and the activities undertaken.

Included Expedition
Join the Zodiac fleet to observe the northern fur seals and Steller's sea lions around the islets of Skaly Lavushky. Usually as the Zodiacs depart the ship the fur seals join the boats and swim side by side. Hundreds of seals and sea ;ions can be observed in this area with several haul out areas close by as well.

Uno Ko (Uno Port) is a small coastal port that gives us access to areas such as Okayama and Kurashiki. Korakuen, a 17th century formal garden encompassing 28 acres of walking trails, ponds, plum and cherry trees, and a classic teahouse is one of the most significant formal gardens of Japan, with Okayama castle towering high above it. Kurashiki is a historic city of 400,000 people, located further to the west of Okayama sitting on the Takahashi River, on the coast of the Inland Sea. Before the days of modern port facilities, rice and other goods were offloaded onto small boats from ships anchored offshore, which would travel into the centre of Kurishiki via the river and then further offload their goods into store houses lining the river banks. In recent times these abandoned storehouses have been converted to museums, galleries, cafes and boutiques. With the scenic river & cobblestone streets adding to the atmosphere, Kurashiki has a unique charm to it. Leaving Uno mid-afternoon gives us a chance to enjoy some daylight cruising in the Seto Inland Sea.

Included Expeditions
From the port we will travel by coach to both Okayama and Kurashiki today. In Okayama we will spend time exploring the world famous Korakuen gardens, one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and participate in a tea ceremony in the gardens. In 1687, the daimyo Ikeda Tsunamasa ordered the construction of Korakuen, finally completed in 1700, it has retained its original appearance to the present day. In Kurashiki we will visit a traditional family house dating back to the 17th century and also visit the Ōhara Museum of Art. Established in 1930 by Magosaburō Ōhara, the museum houses works by El Greco, Monet, Matisse, Gauguin, and Renoir. The collection also presents fine examples of Asian and contemporary art. We will have free time in Kurashiki to explore the cobblestone streets and the boutique shops lining the river. Today's inclusive tour also includes a formal Japanese lunch in Kurushiki.

Optional Expeditions
NAOSHIMA - ARTISTS PARADISE
The small island of Naoshima in the inland sea has been, in recent years, converted from essentially an industrial wasteland to a private millionaires playground, showcasing both Japanese and global art forms. Numerous museums and galleries can be found on the island. The Chichu Art Museum (literally, "in the earth") houses a number of site-specific installations by James Turrell, Walter De Maria and paintings by Claude Monet. Designed by Tadao Ando, it is located on one of the highest points of the island, and various exhibits and facets of the museum's architecture take advantage of its commanding view. Another contemporary museum (and hotel) is Benesse House, also designed by Ando. Virtually every space on the island seems to house some form of artistic expression. Sculpture is everywhere and even the local fishing village has become part of the experience with local homes becoming unique art works in their own right. A full day experience on Naoshima, including an incredible lunch experience at Benesse House, is available as an option today. Vehicle ferries will carry you and your coach transport from Uno Ko to Naoshima across the inland sea. (this full day experience will preclude you from participating in the inclusive experiences)
Price: To be confirmed

Urup was originally inhabited by Ainu, the native peoples of the Kurils, Sakhalin and Hokkaidō. The first recorded visit by Europeans was in 1643, when a ship of the Dutch East India Company landed here, seeking furs. We head to a large bay on the northwest coast of Urup. Like many of the islands in this region, "ownership" has repeatedly and often controversially passed between Russia and Japan. Again like the other Kuril Islands, it is a chain of old volcanoes, Urup being made up of a group of four extinct or dormant stratovolcanos. As with all destinations in the Russian Far East the actual weather and conditions on the day will dictate the exact location visited and the activities undertaken.

Included Expedition
We will search to make a Zodiac landing on one of the beaches of Urup and explore this island. Remnants of ancient Ainu settlements can still be found on the island, as can cabins once used by Russian fur traders. Zodiac cruises are also possible today.

Uwajima, Shikoku Island, is a window into Japan’s rural past. So much of life in Uwajima traditionally revolved around the spirit of the Bull Demon, Ushioni. A giant representation of Ushioni will greet us at the pier on arrival. Uwajima town area has a local gourmet shopping precinct highlighting local produce and also has the Uwajima Pearl Centre, showcasing several of the local pearl producing families and their work. The Japanese have long been known for their cultured pears and several of the famous Japanese pearl producing families are based in and around the Uwajima area.

Included Expedition
After our dockside welcome you will have the choice in participating in one of two included experiences. For those feeling a little energetic you can opt to take the climb to the top of the mountain that is home to Uwajima Castle. Whilst not as large or spectacular as many of the more well known castles around Japan, Uwajima castle is a very traditional representation of these former mountain top strong holds. The walk to the top of the hill will take approximately one hour and there is a good chance to see birds along the way. This inclusive tour will also include a visit to the Date Museum, Date being the family name of the former feudal lords of this area and also to the local Tenshaen Garden.

For those looking for a less physical experience join our coaches and journey out to the Dairakuji Temple, home of the flying squirrels. Although nocturnal, video and photo presentations will explain these special creatures who have made this temple home. The local priest will host our visit and show us his personal garden, an amazing sight to be seen! This tour will also visit the Doi Pearl Farm to see the Japanese way of running a pearl farm, and there will be an opportunity to visit the Doi showroom to browse or make purchases. We will finish this circuit by visiting the local gourmet produce show room, which as well as a further selection of pearls, houses many of the local specialty products based on fruits grown in the lush hills behind Uwajima.

If neither of those included expeditions takes your fancy, a complimentary shuttle bus will operate throughout the afternoon to the quaint city centre of Uwajima.

Vestnik Bay is a true wilderness area in this remote land of the Russian Far East. The bay sits within the Yuzhno-Kamchatsky nature reserve on the Kamchatka peninsula, south-east of Petropavlovsk. Our plan is to explore the magnificent bay and its surroundings. The scenery is very spectacular and you will have a unique chance to see various mammals and birds, including the Stellar sea eagle, arctic fox and even possibly bears. As with all destinations in the Russian Far East the actual weather and conditions on the day will dictate the exact location visited and the activities undertaken.

Included Expedition
We will take to the zodiacs to look at the abundant water fowl in the water and observe their nests high up on the cliffs. The number and variety of birds here is impressive. Some of those we can see include tufted puffins, spectacled guillemots, and red necked phalaropes. The Utashud Islands in Vestnik Bay have some interesting sea caves ideal for Zodiac cruising. Sea otters and harbour seals will also most likely be seen.

Yankicha (also Yankitcha) and it's nearby neighbour Ryponkicha, are the emergent tips of an extinct volcano known as Ushishir. The steep-walled caldera is broken to the south and is flooded by the sea, forming a tranquil lagoon where harlequins and sea otters show their stuff, and Crested and Whiskered Auklets nest. Near the lip of the lagoon is a gap in the beach which fills with thermal waters - a beckoning setting for a hot spring bath. Yankicha is considered by many to be one of the most visually scenic islands in the Kurils. The ancient Ainu people used the thermal area of Yankicha for initiation rites that lasted three days and three nights, in which young men in ceremonial furs were bound together by ropes on wooden platforms over the boiling springs. Arctic foxes, harbour seals and abundant bird life inhabitat the area. As with all destinations in the Russian Far East the actual weather and conditions on the day will dictate the exact location visited and the activities undertaken.

Included Expedition
We will use our zodiacs to enter the lagoon where we can land to investigate the hydrothermal field with steaming fumaroles, sulfur crystals, hot springs and boiling puddles, where the scent of hydrogen sulfate fills the air. The more physically motivated can climb the caldera wall for a stunning view back down over the lagoon. The landscape here is regularly described as straight out of "Lord of the Rings" or "Jurassic Park". Note our ultimate goal is to land inside the caldera's lagoon, however as with all of the Russian Far East weather and conditions on the day will dictate the actual activities. There are seal colonies nearby and Zodiac cruising can possibly be undertaken as alternatives if need be.

To the north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, the Zhupanova River watershed boasts one of the most productive trout rivers in the world. The Kamchatka south-eastern peninsula and river are home to the richest rainbow trout habitat. The Zhupanova drains an area of 404,685 hectares, extending into the central Kamchatka Range of volcanic mountains and is Kamchatka's second largest river. The river contains exceptionally large trout, some reaching 9 kg, five species of Pacific salmon, and two species of anadromous char (Salmo alpinus L). The Zhupanova is a resting place for migratory birds. The Russian Far East has more brown bears than Alaska, and the Zhupanova, before or during the annual salmon run, is a good place to see them. The eye stopper here is the huge Steller sea eagle, the heaviest eagle in the world. As with all destinations in the Russian Far East the actual weather and conditions on the day will dictate the exact location visited and the activities undertaken.

Included Expedition
Zodiac exploration of the extensive river will be undertaken today, in particular we will be looking for nesting areas of the Steller sea eagle. Walks of varying degrees of difficulty can also be undertaken today in search of more wildlife. Bears are not uncommon and their tracks are often seen along the banks of the river.



Ports of call may be subject to weather and tidal conditions, and are subject to change.

* All Shoreside Expeditions, itineraries, destinations, times of arrivals/departures and prices are subject to change without prior notice and may vary due to unforeseen circumstances or cost variations. If minimum passenger numbers are not reached programs may be cancelled.
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